The Bryophyte Flora of Savage Gulf, Grundy County, Tennessee

Savage Gulf is a broad, deep gorge located on the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau in Grundy County, Tennessee. Prior to this study, no comprehensive lists of the bryophytes of this area existed, and no attempts had been made to describe the bryophyte flora of the gorge or adjacent plateau. The present study was initiated after discovering several-interesting bryophytes on a trip to the gorge in April 1977.

One hundred and eighty-two species of bryophytes from 107 genera in 74 families have been identified for the Savage Gulf area. Of this total, five species are recognized as disjunct Coastal Plain and tropical elements new to Tennessee. One species, Radula voluta, is newly reported for the North American continent. Extensions in known ranges are noted for several species new to the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, and lesser extensions on the plateau are reported for several additional species.

The bryophyte floras of various sites within Savage Gulf were compared. The bryophyte flora of the central gorge area is richer and more diverse than that of the adjacent plateau, and contains a number of bryophytes of northern affinity. The richness of the gorge flora is due to the availability of more favorable and diverse habitats.

Unusual collections and range extensions reported for bryophytes in Savage Gulf support the idea that the Cumberland Plateau region is worthy of further intensive bryological investigation.